Motionless in White Live at the Rickshaw Theatre

By Brendan Lee

Photo by Mike Thomas

The Rickshaw Theatre
March 22nd 2018

Sometimes contrast brings out the best in things. With tombstones and streaked mascara, Motionless in White stopped their gothic metal act in town Thursday night at the Rickshaw. Opening, though almost sharing the headliner bill, was the Buffalo-based southern hardcore bros, Every Time I Die, and the juxtaposition of styles made for a surprisingly fun combination.

Photo by Mike Thomas

If you’ve never seen Every Time I Die kick their show live – long hair, overalls, two-steps and all – it’s undeniable you’re missing out. The Buckley brothers have been tightening the bolts on their notoriously mad performance for 20 years now, and with the addition of newer, somewhat more melodic songs, the set ground and smashed itself to tiny bits while taking the time for a few deep breaths at stuttered intervals.

Photo by Mike Thomas

Motionless in White brought another take to the stage, an alternate angle at heavy music. Headed by the pale makeup’d, Chris “Motionless” Cerulli, devilish strobes and a flair for the dramatic back-dropped an anthemic set that, itself, varied between dancey boppers and near-deathcore with some of the older tracks. With his Marilyn Manson-inspired look, Cerulli gave a sincere, enthusiastic performance from first drop to final bow.

Photo by Mike Thomas

At first glance, the pairing of two so uniquely different bands seemed an oversight. But amidst a pit tangled with fans of contradicting styles and tastes, Motionless in White and Every Time I Die found common strength in their own shared variety.